Canada announces roster for Women's National Excel camp

The Canadian Soccer Association announced today that Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girls Elite defender Rachel Jones is among 19 players called up for a 12-day Women's National Excel camp in Copenhagen, Denmark from July 23 to August 3, 2013.

The Canadian squad will take part in a three-match friendly schedule in Denmark taking on local professional side Ballerup-Skovlunde on July 29; before doing battle with national teams from Norway (July 31) and Denmark (August 2).

Andrew Olivieri, head coach for Canada’s women’s U-20 Team will be in charge of the camp.

“These matches are an important opportunity for both players and staff as we progress towards the FIFA Women’s World Cup on home soil in 2014,” said Olivieri.

“Scheduling three matches in such a short turnaround reflects a similar schedule to tournament play and the demands these players will experience throughout the rest of their international careers.

“Developing this type of tournament expertise across the program will certainly benefit the future of our Women’s National Team.”

The upcoming camp in Denmark is the third project of the 2013 season for players in the specific U-17 to U-19 age group who will be eligible to participate in the 2014 FIFA Women’s World Cup which will take place in Canada in August of next year.

Players on this edition of the Canadian roster have also featured with Canada’s EXCELeration program, as well as with the women’s national team during the 2013 season.

The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup is one of two FIFA women’s youth tournaments being played ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™. The inaugural edition of this competition was played in Canada in 2002 (then known as the FIFA U-19 Women’s World Championship). The most recent edition was played in Japan, where CONCACAF members the USA were crowned for a third time (2002, 2008 and 2012).

Edmonton, Moncton, Montréal and Toronto have been named as the Host Cities for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Canada 2014.

The match schedule for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Canada 2014 will be announced in the coming months.